Villa Oliveira Encruzado 2019

The Villa Oliveira vineyard lies in the demarcated Dão wine region, in the heart of Portugal, near Gouveia and the foothills of the Serra da Estrela. The vines grow at altitude in a hilly landscape, under a continental climate marked by cool nights. The granite soils typical of this area encourage slow ripening and preserve the natural tension of the grapes. This origin combines mountain freshness, Portuguese luminosity and a mineral identity, giving the estate's white wines a precise, elegant expression deeply tied to their terroir.

This wine reveals notes of lemon, grapefruit and ripe pear, accompanied by hints of white flowers, tea leaf and wet stone. Its ageing brings a subtle touch of vanilla, hazelnut and toasted bread, without masking the purity of the grape variety. The palate is broad and creamy, carried by a lively acidity that stretches the texture. The saline, persistent finish leaves an impression of refined freshness and fine mineral precision.

Portugal's rich history is closely bound up with its wines, especially its most famous one, Port. From the ancient cities of Lisbon and Porto to small medieval towns and Roman ruins, the past is still alive in modern Portugal today. A good holiday in the heart of this country, where Port was born, is a unique way to discover Old World culture, the climate, the beautiful countryside and, of course, the delicious wines. Although the history of wine in Portugal goes back to the Romans, it was not until the early 19th century that the wine we know today as Port came into being. Portuguese table wine had been in great demand since the mid-17th century, mainly from the British. To make the rustic Portuguese wines more stable and more pleasant to drink, small amounts of grape spirit were added to the casks before shipping. Eventually, British firms began investing in the region and perfected the process of adding spirit during fermentation rather than after, which preserved the distinctive fruity flavours of the red wine that were unique to Portugal's Douro Valley. In recent years, a small revolution has taken place in the Douro in the development of modern-style dry reds and whites, alongside the very traditional production of Port. Table wines also continue to play an important role. Increased investment, improved viticultural techniques and the modernisation of the industry are producing interesting results. What is unique to Portugal is the very large number (more than 500) of indigenous grape varieties (though some are unpronounceable). Even most wine experts are unfamiliar with the grapes that make Port, Madeira or any other Portuguese wine. Like its neighbour Spain, Portugal has been undergoing a quiet revolution for some twenty years. Its reluctance to follow trends and plant international grape varieties is now paying off, and the new breed of wines full of "terroir effect" and fruit is more than capable of competing on the world stage. The unique flavours of Portugal's indigenous grape varieties have become its trump card. Good news for anyone looking for a change from wines made from the ubiquitous international varieties. The terroir is so diverse. From north to south, east to west, from mountain to maritime vineyards, hot and dry or cool and green. In every style, from vinho verde to Port, from crisp dry whites to elegant reds, in so many different ways, Portuguese wines are unique.